Ochil Foods “your knowledge bank”
It’s pigeon time – pewpewpow!!
If you want fresh woodpigeon (Columba palumbus), now is the time to get them on your menu. As many of you will know unlike most gamebirds it is legal to shoot woodpigeon all year round. What many might not know is that at certain times of the year much larger quantities of woodpigeon are shot than at other times, increasing the likelihood of the pigeon being fresh rather than frozen. During the winter months it is more difficult to shoot woodpigeon in large numbers as they group together in big winter flocks. These flocks start to split up as spring approaches, prior to the breeding season. From early March until mid may some of the largest quantities are shot. THEREFORE NOW IS THE TIME TO GET WOODPIGEON ON YOUR MENU if you want the best chance of fresh pigeon. As well as spring and early summer, late August, September and October are also extremely productive with the last remaining stubble fields proving to be particularly productive for flighting/decoying. Description Woodpigeon is a wild game bird (not reared), typically they are seen as a pest by farmers as they feed on their young crops causing great damage. For shooters it is seen as one of the most testing quarry available. It takes great skill to decoy the birds into your handmade hide, unlike some reared gamebirds (e.g. pheasants and red-leg partridge), the slightest movement can spook the flighting pigeon and your chance of a shot is gone.
Taste and texture
Woodpigeon have a dark red texture similar in colour to a fillet steak. They are extremely tender and have a beautiful rich gamey flavour.
Price As well as their delicious flavour they are extremely good value, these fantastic succulent wild birds can be yours for less than the cost of a barn reared chicken. How to serve Pigeon can be served in any number of ways, from a delicious warm salad, or a single breast starter to cooking the whole bird oven ready as a main course. Menu ideas 1. Pigeon Salad 2. Pigeon Starter 3. Oven Ready Pigeon
For the 80’s children!!! For all of you 1980’s kids I could not help but share this link to Pigeon Street!! For any of the older generation who thought they had seen the back of this – sorry!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XdgHiF4uiI
Pew Pew Pow…
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